Notre Dame picks Pius X principal as new leader

MORNING CALL STAFF REPORT

Notre Dame picks Pius X principal as new leader

Notre Dame High School will have a face familiar to the Catholic community as its new principal.

Mario Lucrezi, 62, principal of the soon-to-close Piux X Junior Senior High school in Bangor, will take over the helms at Notre Dame in Bethlehem Township effective July 1, according to a news release.

"Notre Dame High School is a school of great faith and educational instruction with strong alumni support," he said in a statement. "I welcome the opportunity to work with everyone as the school moves forward in educating students to be the best they can be."

Piux X announced this year it's closing because of declining enrollment. Lucrezi had been principal there for the last two years.

Diocese of Allentown Bishop John Barres approved the recommendation of Lucrezi by Notre Dame's board of directors.

Lucrezi is replacing Joseph Kramer, who is retiring June 30 after 26 years as Notre Dame's principal.

Lucrezi was previously a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Bangor Area School District.

He has a bachelor's of science in elementary education from the University of Tampa and a master's degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University.

Notre Dame High School was founded in 1957. Its current enrollment is 596 students.